"Empowering
his characters with detail of Springsteen and Waits, Phelps' songwriting
has leapt to a level inhabited by few (Dylan and Cohen spring to
mind), while his voice sounds like Kentucky bourbon being poured
over a waterfall. Frills are non-existent, instead Phelps relies
on atmosphere and incredible warmth, lending these tales - all contenders
for the plot of innumerable Cohen Brothers films - an air of late-autumn
calm that simultaneously grips and soothes the listener."
"Empowering
his characters with detail of Springsteen and Waits, Phelps' songwriting
has leapt to a level inhabited by few (Dylan and Cohen spring to
mind), while his voice sounds like Kentucky bourbon being poured
over a waterfall. Frills are non-existent, instead Phelps relies
on atmosphere and incredible warmth, lending these tales - all contenders
for the plot of innumerable Cohen Brothers films - an air of late-autumn
calm that simultaneously grips and soothes the listener."